MPs urge Government to act on energy security27 October 2011
MPs warned the Government on Tuesday that keeping the UK hooked on imported gas leaves us open to price spikes, and missing our climate change targets.
The Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change Report UK Energy Supply: Security or Independence? recommends among other things that the UK Government acts to:
- Develop a diverse energy portfolio that does not rely heavily on either a single supplier or a single fuel.
- Increase customer engagement with new technologies, like smart meters, to improve energy efficiency.
- Cap emissions from power stations to stop a new dash-for-gas leaving us dependent on fossil fuel power.
Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to back renewables, not dirty gas - and to show its commitment to the UK's renewable energy production by not killing off the Feed-In Tariff scheme.
Furthermore, trebling the volume of green electricity supplied to our homes and communities would equal the electricity generated by the giant Drax coal-fired power station.
Developing our renewable energy and energy efficiency are essential if we are to:
- Meet our targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions
- Secure clean, home grown and safe future energy supplies
- Boost the economy by creating new green jobs
Ministers should do more to encourage people to generate their own power - slashing renewable energy incentives would make a mockery of this.
Paul Steedman, Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
What you can do
Ask David Cameron to launch an inquiry into Big Six energy influence, and to continue support for clean British energy.
© Will Rose
